For INTERPRETERS: A Wishlist

[Reba]

Even at the community colleges where I have interpreted, we are instructed to wait 10-15 minutes PER HOUR of class, so for a 4.5 hour class we would wait between 45 minutes and an hour or so. Maybe that terp misssed the "per hour" part of the instructions!

That's basically the same rule we have. It also depends on the class (is it all lecture, or lecture/lab mix), and other factors, that we discuss ahead of time.

As far as interpreting "extraneous" information, like gossiping and so forth, what I usually do is ask the deaf person if he is interested. That way if he doesn't care, I don't have to interpret it, and if he does, he gets to be involved.

True; I also do that for informal chat. Sometimes the Deaf student just wants a "summary" of the topic, and then decides whether or not to join in.

This may sound lazy but the reason I started doing this is because I used to interpret EV-ER-Y-THING I heard, and I noticed the deaf person trying to be polite and pay attention but was obviously not interested.

That reminds me of one Deaf consumer (not a student) that was just the opposite. That person wanted to know EVERYTHING, that EVERYONE in the room said, at ALL times. It was crazy! It was a workplace situation, in a large cafeteria room, during a general employee meeting. Between "official" speakers, there was "socializing" time, so people were chatting in small informal groups throughout the room. That person would ask me, "What are they talking about?" referring to a group at the opposite side of the room (about 50 feet away, in a noisey cafeteria). I told the person that I don't know what they're saying because I can't hear them. The Deaf person gave me a look that indicated doubt about my answer. The Deaf person could clearly see their lips moving, so obviously they were speaking. So, the person asked me again, "What are they saying?" I said that I can't tell what they're saying from this side of the room. I can't hear them. The Deaf person looked at me with a scowl and said, "What's wrong? Are you hard-of-hearing?" I said no, I'm not hard of hearing; they are too far away for me to hear. Finally, the Deaf person looked at me in a disgusted way, and gave up. (This person didn't want to walk over to join the group; just wanted to "listen in" from a distance.) Apparently, anything within view is also within hearing (in that person's mind).

Roll call in class is a good example. Some students want to see all the names spelled out. Others give me the "are you crazy?" look when I ask if they want to see it. So I'd rather save my hand if they don't care!

Absolutely! Some students want to see the names just on the first day of school, to get a "feel" for who's there. In that situation, I spell the name and point to the student. Some just want a first letter "cue" for each name so they know when their name's coming up. (Some instructors have quit trying to pronounce names, and they just pass around a roll sheet to be signed during class.)

A related wishlist thing, which can be kind of touchy, is breaks. Although I like to socialize as much as possible, I really need my breaks!

For sure! I have to physically remove myself from the room, depending on the length of break. If it is short, I go to the restroom (a necessity anyway). If it is longer, I go out to my car (home-away-from-home).

I have some students who prefer to socialize with other students rather than an old fogey terp anyway. There is especially one young man who does quite well with "the ladies" thru note writing, and I know he doesn't want a third-wheel present.

If a Deaf student or one of their friends specifically requests my presence and interpreting during a break or after class, then of course, I'll stay.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Those are the agreed upon terms for hiring interpreters.

Who do you think should pay the interpreters for last-minute cancelled appointments?

Of course deaf customer! It´s her/him who cancelled appointment in last minute, not lawyer, doctors, etc. Lawyer, doctors, etc didn´t ask to cancel in last minute but deaf client.

Interpreter send the bill to deaf client, not lawyer, doctor, etc. because deaf client choose to cancel in last minute in first place. Don´t Agency made the rule for Interpreter and Deaf clients in your country?

Here in Germany yes...

Interpreter cost:

Agency pay everything for us.
Public Health Insurance pay for us when there´re important appointment, etc.
Employer pay for their employee at work place.
Church pay for wedding, communion, funeral, etc.

Court pay for criminals, divorce, etc.

Deaf Clients are responsible to cover the cost for loss including interpreter cost if they doesn´t attend ANY appointments where Interpreter are present. Plus penatly fine for not attend at court room.

We know and respect Agency´s rule. If I cancel in last minute is my own fault. If I cancel my appointment then I have to inform Agency or Interpreter within 24 hours before appointment. After 24 hours, I have to responsible with Interpreter cost. We need to prove them that it´s an emergency why we cancel after 24 hours...then okay.


Interpreter wait up to 30 minutes then leave and send the bill to deaf client, not Agency, Public Health Insurance, Employer, etc. It´s okay when deaf client inform Interpreter via mobile phone that they are on traffic jam... without inform, Interpreter leave after 30 minutes waiting.

 

[Mookie]

I'm not saying that "aggressive" as into bad thing. If I weren't aggressive, then I wouldn't be working as a Database Programmer

Ok...

 

[Interpretrator]

In some classrooms where I work, there are no extra chairs. None! If I get there before the instructor, I take his/her chair. If not, I stroll down the hallway until I find an empty classroom, and take one of their chairs.

Ha ha! I've been guilty of chair larceny many times myself. It's funny how if you just walk in and grab a chair (assertively or aggressively, depending on how you see it!) and say "I'm an interpreter and I need this," you don't get much resistance.

The Deaf person gave me a look that indicated doubt about my answer. The Deaf person could clearly see their lips moving, so obviously they were speaking. So, the person asked me again, "What are they saying?" I said that I can't tell what they're saying from this side of the room. I can't hear them. The Deaf person looked at me with a scowl and said, "What's wrong? Are you hard-of-hearing?"

Ouch! I've heard of this happening to interpreters but luckily it hasn't happened to me yet. I know many deaf people have had bad experiences with the whole "oh, it's not important, we'll tell you later" line from hearing family members and friends, which probably fosters mistrust, but that's just out of line.

This is an interesting thread because I get the opportunity both to vent and also to learn. I know the interpreters at the places I work have similar experiences to mine because we're working with the same hearing and deaf clients, but it's nice to see that some of these things happen to EVERYONE.

I also have a gripe about team interpreters but one of them hits too close to home just at this moment for me to post it appropriately.

 

[Reba]

Of course deaf customer! It´s her/him who cancelled appointment in last minute, not lawyer, doctors, etc. Lawyer, doctors, etc didn´t ask to cancel in last minute but deaf client.

Interpreter send the bill to deaf client, not lawyer, doctor, etc. because deaf client choose to cancel in last minute in first place. Don´t Agency made the rule for Interpreter and Deaf clients in your country?

The ADA requires the hearing client to hire the interpreters. That is, the school, the business, the doctor, etc., hires the interpreters, and they get the bill for the services.

If a Deaf client hires an interpreter for a non-ADA required situation (such as a personal reason), then the Deaf client would be responsible for the bill.

I think you and I are using the word "agency" with different meanings.

An "agency" in the U.S. means either a government office OR a private company. Interpreters work for private companies, OR government agencies (including public schools), OR themselves (freelance/private practice/self-employed), OR as sub-contractors. I work for a private company that has contracts with colleges, hospitals, government departments, etc.

Doctors, schools, businesses, etc., pay the interpreter company, and then the company pays the interpreters.

Weddings and funerals are handled in several different ways. Some interpreters will do the services for free as a gift to their friends. Some interpreting companies provide them as "community good will", free of charge. Some Deaf groups keep a "benevolence fund" that they all chip in for. Some churches provide the interpreters if the service is held at their church.

Agency pay everything for us.

Is that a government agency? Do they use tax money to pay the interpreters?

Deaf Clients are responsible to cover the cost for loss including interpreter cost if they doesn´t attend ANY appointments where Interpreter are present.

I don't know of any Deaf consumers who have been charged by the doctors, schools, businesses, etc. Interpreter fees are considered "the cost of doing business" as an overhead expense.

Interpreter wait up to 30 minutes then leave and send the bill to deaf client...

I'm so glad that I work for a private company. I'm not involved with billing or invoicing or collecting money. I don't need that stress!

 

[ismi]

Have you ever been in a situation where the client specifically discussed an issue - demonstrating that they were aware of it - then acted in a way completely contrary to that?

I was taking an East European history class this semester, and the professor was very interested to compare notes with the captioner about interpreting (she had done some interpreting during her college years in the East European countries we were studying). One of the things she specifically mentioned was the "detach and just let it flow" mentality - the impossibility of interpreting and also participating in the conversation at the same time. Then she goes ahead and tried to get the captioner to participate in the class while also captioning ...

 

[ayala920]

As far as interpreting "extraneous" information, like gossiping and so forth, what I usually do is ask the deaf person if he is interested. That way if he doesn't care, I don't have to interpret it, and if he does, he gets to be involved. This may sound lazy but the reason I started doing this is because I used to interpret EV-ER-Y-THING I heard, and I noticed the deaf person trying to be polite and pay attention but was obviously not interested. So that time I asked, and he told me please not to bother. Roll call in class is a good example. Some students want to see all the names spelled out. Others give me the "are you crazy?" look when I ask if they want to see it. So I'd rather save my hand if they don't care!

I do the same thing. I know my students well enough that I usually can guess whether they want things interpreted or not. I interpret an English class with 7 boys, 2 of whom are deaf. Most days they just read silently, though the hearing kids are rarely silent. I know one of my students could care less about what's going on, while the other one just likes to get a brief, "This is what they're talking about" comment if he happens to look up. Depending on how interesting the conversation seems, he'll either look back down at his book, or continue looking at me. But I don't interrupt the students while they're working to interpret side comments.

 

[ayala920]

2 more things I thought of:

1. When the students I interpret for get mad at me because they're getting in trouble with the teacher. Hey, it's not my fault you're talking while you're supposed to be working!

2. When students take advantage of the fact that some of their teachers don't know enough sign to catch when they're being insulted. I have one student in particular who likes to say nasty things behind his teachers' backs, and it drives me absolutely batty. I politely told him today that if he signed, "Shut up, old woman" again, I was going to voice it. He stopped after that.*

*I should mention that I have a somewhat unique situation where I'm not just an interpreter, but also a TA, advisor, youth worker, etc. I work in a treatment facility, so I don't get to have the "go in, interpret, don't share your input" role.

 

[Interpretrator]

I work in a treatment facility, so I don't get to have the "go in, interpret, don't share your input" role.

Even if that weren't the case, I wouldn't see that as inappropriate. I've been in the same situation where the deaf student makes lots of side comments to me that he has made perfectly clear he doesn't want voiced. Most of the time they're the kind of self-talk that many students, deaf and hearing, engage in so I don't have a problem not interpreting it. However, sometimes it's a clear comment TO ME about the teacher, or the work, or whatever. I start with an innocent question about whether I should voice it, and that usually stops the commentary, but if the student continues, I do at some point have a discussion about how he should only sign things that he wants voiced because I can't necessarily tell the difference.

(That may sound disingenuous, because obviously both I know and the student knows he doesn't want me to say out loud "Boy this teacher just goes on forever with her boring stories," but honestly I've had it happen more than once that a teacher will ask a question of the class, the deaf student will sign what seems like a response to me, I'll voice it and then the student goes "No no no, don't interpret THAT!" Well, how am I supposed to know?)

I think we interpreters often tend to lean towards the deaf clients' side because of the inherent power difference, but there's a point where it really isn't fair to interpret everything voiced into sign but not interpret what's signed into voice, especially if a student is knowingly taking advantage of the situation.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

[

QUOTE=Reba]The ADA requires the hearing client to hire the interpreters. That is, the school, the business, the doctor, etc., hires the interpreters, and they get the bill for the services.

If a Deaf client hires an interpreter for a non-ADA required situation (such as a personal reason), then the Deaf client would be responsible for the bill.

I think you and I are using the word "agency" with different meanings.

An "agency" in the U.S. means either a government office OR a private company. Interpreters work for private companies, OR government agencies (including public schools), OR themselves (freelance/private practice/self-employed), OR as sub-contractors. I work for a private company that has contracts with colleges, hospitals, government departments, etc.

wow ADA do nothing but requires hearing client to hire the interpreters themselves... Interesting... What ADA do in their office?
Deaf clients can cancel in last minutes many times whatever they like and don't care because they don't pay... wow! I feel bad for doctors, school, etc. for pay Interpreter fee where deaf client never turn up. Interesting... I understand now why some of deafies complaint in their threads about doctors etc for not like to have them as patients because of pay Interpret fee etc. I was like until I see the sense and don't blame the doctors for that after bad experience for being let down by deaf clients and have to pay their absence... It look like that your company don't have rule to treat deaf and hearing clients including interpreter fair... It shows me that your private company don't care about hearing clients but take deaf client's side.

Doctors, schools, businesses, etc., pay the interpreter company, and then the company pays the interpreters.

Do you mean they give hearing clients the list of interpreters and phone number and collect money from hearing clients where the interpreters interpret for deaf clients there and divide the money to all interpreters and profit for themselves without Government support? How could ADA know how often each Interpreters interpret a day? They paid you same equal as other Interpreters...? Example: you interpret 5 times a week and other Interpreter interpret 5 times a day... Would they receive equal paid?

Is that a government agency? Do they use tax money to pay the interpreters?

Huh? Nobody call "Government Agency" but you... We consider "Agency for the Interpreter central ". They are under Middle of Franconia and District Ferderation for the Deaf. Yes, Government send tax money to local mayors to divide the money to any oganazitions, Agencies...

None of taxpayers are complaint about this because they understand and see the sense why we need Agency for Interpreters.

I don't know of any Deaf consumers who have been charged by the doctors, schools, businesses, etc. Interpreter fees are considered "the cost of doing business" as an overhead expense.

You don't know? I thought you know from threads here how deafies complaint about doctors etc. Interesting, It sound that your "private company" don't care but push doctors, lawyers, etc to this responsible for their absence - even no rule to treat deaf clients and hearing clients fair. They only receive one side is deaf clients, not hearing clients... wow! Its okay for deaf clients do what they wants... wow! I understand now why doctors, Insurances, lawyers, etc don't like to have deaf clients as their patients after bad experiences in the past after read threads.

I'm so glad that I work for a private company. I'm not involved with billing or invoicing or collecting money. I don't need that stress!

[/QUOTE]

Interesting! You find it stress but self-employ Interpreters did not complaint about this... It's not much work for them to do. Simple is: Send the bill to Agency, companies, Insurances, court, deaf clients etc... via email or mail to inform them how long they interpret, how many km, etc. It's not work hard to do... Agency only do is make rule and treat hearing and deaf clients fair, transfer money to Interpreter's account within 14 days after receive the bill, phone call from hearing clients and fax or email from deaf clients for apply Interpreter. Accord Agency's Rule: We obligate to transfer amount to Interpreter's account within 14 days or less after receive the bill. After 14 days, then we have to pay interest on the amount...

They make business with hearing clients via phone and hire Interpreter fee for hearing clients... Hearing clients informed Agency about deaf client's absence and reason etc... Agency inform deaf client in writing the reason why they did not attend their appointments... If deaf clients cancel for no reason then they are responsible with the bill, not hearing clients who hire Interpreter. Many hearing clients respect deaf client's wish for pick which Interpreters before contact Agency for Interpreter..

End of Annual in October, Agency deleiver the list of costs how much they spent on Interpreter fees to Mayor... Mayor deliver the list of Agencies, Organizations, etc. to Government for money...

 

[Reba]

wow ADA do nothing but requires hearing client to hire the interpreters themselves... Interesting... What ADA do in their office?

The ADA is not an office. The ADA is a law. It is the "Americans with Disabilities Act" ( http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm ).

It look like that your company don't have rule to treat deaf and hearing clients including interpreter fair... It shows me that your private company don't care about hearing clients but take deaf client's side.

My company has nothing to do with it. It doesn't "take sides". It is the law. The businesses are required to make "accommodations" for the Deaf. The ADA law (and other laws pertaining to schools) require them to pay for the interpreters. For example, it is illegal for a public school or doctor or lawyer to charge the Deaf person for interpreting services. The doctor's office, school, business, etc., calls the interpreter company and schedules an interpreter. The company sends them a bill. It's just business.

Do you mean they give hearing clients the list of interpreters and phone number and collect money from hearing clients where the interpreters interpret for deaf clients there and divide the money to all interpreters and profit for themselves without Government support?

No. Suppose my interpreting company is called "XYZ Top Terps". XYZ employs several interpreters. Dr. Jones calls XYZ, and says, "I need an interpreter Wednesday at 1 p.m., for about one hour." The scheduler at XYZ takes that information, checks the master schedule to see which interpreter is available. XYZ scheduler contacts the available interpreter and gives him/her the information for the appointment. Interpreter goes to the appointment. XYZ sends a bill to Dr. Jones. Dr. Jones pays the bill. XYZ pays the interpreter (usually once a week, for all the jobs done that week). The government is not involved in that process.

There are some state interpreting services. The range of services they provide vary from state to state. Scheduling and billing is pretty much the same system for them. The pay systems and scales are different for state interpreters. But it is still the businesses that pay for the services.

How could ADA know how often each Interpreters interpret a day?

The ADA is the law that requires businesses to use interpreters. The ADA is not directly involved with interpreter services. They usually only become involved if someone has a legal complaint.

They paid you same equal as other Interpreters...? Example: you interpret 5 times a week and other Interpreter interpret 5 times a day... Would they receive equal paid?

At my company, we get paid by the hour, no benefits. The public school and state interpreters get paid salaries, with benefits.

You don't know? I thought you know from threads here how deafies complaint about doctors etc. Interesting, It sound that your "private company" don't care but push doctors, lawyers, etc to this responsible for their absence - even no rule to treat deaf clients and hearing clients fair.

It is the law. It is not my company's decision. It makes sense that the person making the appointment for an interpreter would be responsible for paying the bill.

Interesting! You find it stress but self-employ Interpreters did not complaint about this... It's not much work for them to do. Simple is: Send the bill to Agency, companies, Insurances, court, deaf clients etc... via email or mail to inform them how long they interpret, how many km, etc. It's not work hard to do...

That's fine if they pay on time. Then, there is also the taxes to figure. Ugh! Besides, I don't get the amount that is billed to the client. I get an hourly wage. The interpreting company gets their share for overhead expenses, and the owner gets his profit. I get a flat hourly fee, regardless of what the client is charged.

... Hearing clients informed Agency about deaf client's absence and reason etc...

That would be a breach of confidentiality at our company. The scheduler is not supposed to know why the Deaf consumer was absent.

 

[Etoile]

I have a somewhat unique situation where I'm not just an interpreter, but also a TA, advisor, youth worker, etc.

Actually...that's pretty common. School systems around the country don't have enough money to hire a terp AND a TA/aide, so they assign both roles to the same person.

 

[Etoile]

At my company, we get paid by the hour, no benefits. The public school and state interpreters get paid salaries, with benefits.

Just to add a perspective from the Washington DC area - the demand for interpreting is so high here that most agencies hire staff interpreters. I am one of those, I get a yearly salary and benefits and guaranteed 40 hours of work a week. There are many agencies in the DC area that operate like this; these agencies also have a pool of freelance interpreters who get paid hourly as you do.

That's fine if they pay on time. Then, there is also the taxes to figure. Ugh!

I can't imagine ever wanting to be in private practice. It is a big hassle, hard to get clients (because you are competing directly with big agencies), and too much work for me. I am not a Human Resources person or a scheduler-type person or a billing/money person. I am an interpreter, that is what I do best, and I stick to that. If I were to work for myself I would have a lot more to worry about and it would cause me a lot of headaches. Being self-employed is NOT easy.

 

[Reba]

Just to add a perspective from the Washington DC area - the demand for interpreting is so high here that most agencies hire staff interpreters. I am one of those, I get a yearly salary and benefits and guaranteed 40 hours of work a week. There are many agencies in the DC area that operate like this; these agencies also have a pool of freelance interpreters who get paid hourly as you do.

Right, it does depend on the location. Here, the work is feast or famine. Some weeks I'm worked almost to death. During the summer, I'm basically unemployed. There are a few staff terps, and they do a lot of out of town, and out of state work.

... Being self-employed is NOT easy.

My point, exactly.

Hubby is self-employed (in another field), so I've seen how that works. More paperwork, advertising, dealing with regulatory agencies, seeking clients, coping with bounced checks or chasing after late payees. No back ups available, no benefits (such as insurance, paid vacations, sick leave, workman's comp, retirement plan, etc.)

Just send me an assignment; I go, I do it, I get paid. Thank you.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

The ADA is not an office. The ADA is a law. It is the "Americans with Disabilities Act" ( http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm ).

Oohhh I got it... I thought you mean ADA is Agency... I understood now. Thank you for explain...

It mean that you don´t have Agency for Interpreter.

My company has nothing to do with it. It doesn't "take sides". It is the law. The businesses are required to make "accommodations" for the Deaf. The ADA law (and other laws pertaining to schools) require them to pay for the interpreters. For example, it is illegal for a public school or doctor or lawyer to charge the Deaf person for interpreting services. The doctor's office, school, business, etc., calls the interpreter company and schedules an interpreter. The company sends them a bill. It's just business.

Oh I see! It´s very different as Germany.

It sound to me that ADA is on one side, not both sides because of law...

"Absence for no reason" is a mainly interesting question for me... that´s why I´m wondering either lawyer, doctors, school etc still pay interpreter fee during deaf client´s absence or not. You said one of earlier post that you dlon´t know either hearing clients have to pay Interpreter´s cost for deaf client´s absence.

If I´m doctor, lawyer or whatever then I would NOT pay Interpreter´s fee during deaf client´s absence but forward Interpreter´s bill to deaf client. I would write a letter to Interpreter company explain why I do not wish to pay Interpreter´s fee due deaf client´s absence. I can understand why many doctors, lawyers etc have the problem to accept deaf people as their patient or clients after bad experience. Sorry, I´m disagree to this but agree with German Agency of Interpreter because hearing and deaf client treat being fair.

No. Suppose my interpreting company is called "XYZ Top Terps". XYZ employs several interpreters. Dr. Jones calls XYZ, and says, "I need an interpreter Wednesday at 1 p.m., for about one hour." The scheduler at XYZ takes that information, checks the master schedule to see which interpreter is available. XYZ scheduler contacts the available interpreter and gives him/her the information for the appointment. Interpreter goes to the appointment. XYZ sends a bill to Dr. Jones. Dr. Jones pays the bill. XYZ pays the interpreter (usually once a week, for all the jobs done that week). The government is not involved in that process.

It is the law. It is not my company's decision. It makes sense that the person making the appointment for an interpreter would be responsible for paying the bill.

I understood. It´s different here in Germany.

I would like to ask you one more question. Is it okay when deaf client give hearing clients (doctors, lawyers, school, etc.) their wish interpreters before apply for an appointment?

The ADA is the law that requires businesses to use interpreters. The ADA is not directly involved with interpreter services. They usually only become involved if someone has a legal complaint.

Protect deaf clients only?

At my company, we get paid by the hour, no benefits. The public school and state interpreters get paid salaries, with benefits.

Oh I see. I understood.

That's fine if they pay on time. Then, there is also the taxes to figure. Ugh! Besides, I don't get the amount that is billed to the client. I get an hourly wage. The interpreting company gets their share for overhead expenses, and the owner gets his profit. I get a flat hourly fee, regardless of what the client is charged.

Self-employ Interpreters pay tax once a year... They give Tax Officer to take care everything for them... They told me that pay a year tax is not much than monthly tax.

If they want healthy insurance, etc... then they have to apply and then money go to any insurances from their bank automaic.

That would be a breach of confidentiality at our company. The scheduler is not supposed to know why the Deaf consumer was absent.

Its about money issue, Agency have to know why they never turn in very last minute.

Agency don´t have to know everything to 100% but they have to know why "in last minute" is a different story... If they said... emergency... okay... If no answer... just because of cold weather... then bill is their responsible.

Example: I had a car accident on my way to meet Interpreter... It´s my obigation to call Interpreter via mobile phone. If police involved in car accident... It´s proof that I did not let Interpreter down or inform Agency that I´m unfit to unable to attend at school meeting with Interpreter... No problem... Sometimes they demand sick certifates BECAUSE they pay my absence to Interpreters. Agency don´t like to waste their money on client´s absence... I have to give Agency right about this because deaf clients should not play on Agency or Interpreter because they know Agency pay for them...

If I want Interpreter then I apply at Agency and let them know where and which place, offices, appointment, which Interpreter etc... Agency order Interpreter for me. If Agreement Contract at hosiptail, then I apply Agency to give me my wish Interpreter then contact my public health insurance about money...

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Being self-employed is NOT easy.

Here in Germany is different...

Being self-employ Interpreter are more easier because deafies apply for Interpreters EVERYDAY.....

 

[Etoile]

Here in Germany is different...

Being self-employ Interpreter are more easier because deafies apply for Interpreters EVERYDAY.....

It is so interesting to hear about how things work in Germany! Thank you for teaching us, Liebling!

 

[Reba]

It mean that you don´t have Agency for Interpreter.

There is no federal interpreter agency. There are state agencies, and there are private companies (sometimes called agencies but they are not run by the government).

It sound to me that ADA is on one side, not both sides because of law...

Well, it is called "Americans with Disabilities Act". The act (law) is for the benefit of individuals with disabilities; it is not for the benefit of businesses. That's the whole purpose of the law.

If I´m doctor, lawyer or whatever then I would NOT pay Interpreter´s fee during deaf client´s absence but forward Interpreter´s bill to deaf client.

Then you would be in breach of contract. The contract agreement is between the doctor/lawyer and the interpreting agency/business. The doctor/lawyer agrees to pay the interpreting service. If they refuse, that is illegal, and the interpreting service can put in a complaint to small claims court.

There is no contractual agreement between the Deaf consumer and the doctor/lawyer. Nor is there any agreement between the the Deaf consumer and the interpreting service. Therefore, the doctor/lawyer is legally obligated (responsible) for the fee.

I understood. It´s different here in Germany.

Yes. In the U.S. there is more free enterprise (private business) for services. In Germany, there is more socialism (government control) for services.

I would like to ask you one more question. Is it okay when deaf client give hearing clients (doctors, lawyers, school, etc.) their wish interpreters before apply for an appointment?

The Deaf consumer can request a particular interpreter, if they know one, but there is no guarantee that they will always get that interpreter. The reason is, scheduling conflicts. Say Deafie 1 wants the same terp for her doctor appointment, that Deafie 2 wants for a work meeting, and they are both at the same time. Obviously, they can't both get the terp that they want.

Its about money issue, Agency have to know why they never turn in very last minute.

Sorry, in the USA, confidentiality trumps "money issue" every time. That's a problem between the Deaf consumer and the hearing client. That have to resolve that between themselves. The interpreting company/agency is "hands off."

 

[Liebling:-)))]

There is no federal interpreter agency. There are state agencies, and there are private companies (sometimes called agencies but they are not run by the government).

It doesn't matter either business or government but mainly important is deaf clients get their rights.

I'm glad that government take care of his people than spend money on war issues.

Well, it is called "Americans with Disabilities Act". The act (law) is for the benefit of individuals with disabilities; it is not for the benefit of businesses. That's the whole purpose of the law.

Of course we have Disabilities law here in Germany as well... What deaf clients did during last minute absence is not belong kind of discrimination rights.

Then you would be in breach of contract. The contract agreement is between the doctor/lawyer and the interpreting agency/business. The doctor/lawyer agrees to pay the interpreting service. If they refuse, that is illegal, and the interpreting service can put in a complaint to small claims court.

To me, it's not breach of contract because I has no reason to pay Interpreter's fee for deaf client's last minute absence. I has to protest my rights against deaf client's absence for no reason. I beleive the court will be on my side and see the sense why should I pay their last minute absence then give deaf client the responsible for their absence and pay Interpreter's fee. I am glad that German has more rights to treat us fair.

Thank you for explain me clear... Your posts wake me more and more... I'm total speechless... I think it's unfair to give deaf clients more rights and treat hearing client like crimes because they refused to pay deaf client's last minute absence. Who's fault... Of course Deaf clients for show their disrespect on appointments, etc.

There is no contractual agreement between the Deaf consumer and the doctor/lawyer. Nor is there any agreement between the the Deaf consumer and the interpreting service. Therefore, the doctor/lawyer is legally obligated (responsible) for the fee.

*goose bumps* I understand more and more now why hearing people don't like to have deaf clients or patients after their bad experience. Your post wake me up after read forums how they complaint and feel being "discriminate" by doctors, lawyers, etc...

Yes. In the U.S. there is more free enterprise (private business) for services. In Germany, there is more socialism (government control) for services.

Germans and other European countries have more rights and less stress due legal way than America. That's why I'm glad to have socialism and human rights here in Europe because they get more rights and treat fair to protect people than in America...

The Deaf consumer can request a particular interpreter, if they know one, but there is no guarantee that they will always get that interpreter. The reason is, scheduling conflicts. Say Deafie 1 wants the same terp for her doctor appointment, that Deafie 2 wants for a work meeting, and they are both at the same time. Obviously, they can't both get the terp that they want.

We here in Germany have free to choose our wish interpreter what we wants. If my wish Interpreters have no free on that date so we can postpone our appointment to match Interpreter's free date. Agency do everything for us... I only apply my wish Interpreter, date, time, where and when and add doctors, lawyers, school, etc. phone number which it's easier for Agency to contact them to make a new appointment if my wish Interpreters have no free for me...

But parent evening or conference is different... Most Interpreters are presents if my wish interpreters have no time. Important to let them know which Interpreters, I do not wish to have.

Sorry, in the USA, confidentiality trumps "money issue" every time. That's a problem between the Deaf consumer and the hearing client. That have to resolve that between themselves. The interpreting company/agency is "hands off."

*goose bumps*

They don't care what deaf clients did to hearing client pain wrong (in last minute absence, etc.)

I'm glad to have more rights and less stress here in Germany.

 

[vrsterp]

WONDERFUL question!

I have a wish list for deaf clients using VRS!

-if your video quality sucks, please realize I cannot interpret for you when I can't see you. Don't say "oh, short call!!" If i had to strain to understand that, I'm never going to be able to do your call. I sit here for up to 10 hours a day. Bad video is a BIG strain on the eyes, and it adds up. Please understand this.

-I wish people would not rock back and forth (in rocking chairs or whatever) It messes with the video quality and it messes with my eyes.

-Please do not say the same word repeatedly until you see me mouth it. I am waiting for the rest of your sentence.

-Please realize that different areas have different signs. It does not mean the interpreter is wrong. He/she will try to the best of their ability to use your local signs.

-Please don't tell me how to do my job. I've had a person or two say "how many rings was that?" I do not count them. For each ring I hear, I will sign "ring." I've had someone tell me "It is required for you to count the rings. It is <insert company's name> policy. You have to count them" No. I don't. A hearing person does not know how many times the phone is ringing unless they count them.

-Please do not ask a question to the hearing person then look away. You are missing their answer. If you do, that is fine, but don't get mad at the interpreter because you missed it.

-Please do NOT expect me to retain information and tell you when you finally decide to look back at me.

-When automatic recordings are on the phone (pick 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) PAY attention! Don't look back at me and say "what?" A hearing person does not get to have the machine repeat for them.

-When you have to pick 1, 2, 3, 4, please try to remember what number to pick. When I name off "push 1 for tech support, press 2 for billing, press 3 for sales.." etc, and at the end of 9 different numbers you say "billing." it doesn't help me. I don't know which number went with which department.

-If you decide to stuff your face with food while using VRS, chewing with your mouth open, I'm going to interpret using my voice like I'm eating and chewing sloppily, too. Just like I will tell you that the hearing person is eating and talking with a mouth full.

-If you are testing your VP, please just tell me. Don't have me call someone who's standing 3 feet away from you and pretend to have a conversation with them. I can tell.

-Please realize if I look like I have an attitude, ITS NOT ME. It is the hearing person you are talking to. Do not threaten to report me, call my boss, fire me, sue me, whatever. All this means is I'm doing a darn good job interpreting.

-If you are drunk, stoned, whatever, that's great. Do not hit on the interpreter. Do not tell me I have nice boobs. Even if you're sober, please have respect.

-Do not try to be sneaky and take pictures of the interpreter. Let me do my job, and please finish your phone call.

-When you ask me personal information, where I'm from, if my parents are deaf, etc. Do not get mad that I politely say "I'm sorry I'm not allowed to give out personal information." Don't say "other interpreters did, it's ok!" I'm glad they did, however I like my job and I'd like to keep it.

-Please don't tell me I'm signing too fast and to slow down. You'll have to ask the hearing person to slow down. I'm signing as fast as they talk. I can't lag too much, again, I'm not going to retain information. Even If I wanted to.



Ok i'm out of here!! There's a million others, but I can't think. :-D